Auburn hires Johnson to lead defense

Former Southern Miss head coach Ellis Johnson was hired by Auburn as defensive coordinator Thursday.

TIMES STAFF, WIRE REPORTS

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 11:11 p.m.

AUBURN — New Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has turned to a veteran Southeastern Conference assistant coach to lead the Tigers’ defense.

Malzahn announced the hiring of former Southern Miss coach Ellis Johnson on Thursday, two days after getting the job. Johnson has coached for more than 30 years and has 16 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference.

“Ellis is one of the top defensive minds in all of college football. He is very experienced and has tremendous success coaching in the Southeastern Conference,” Malzahn said. “He is a man of integrity who will be a great ambassador for Auburn. We’re very pleased to have him join our staff and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program.”

Johnson was fired after Southern Miss went 0-12 in his lone season, but has an impressive track record running SEC defenses. Johnson’s coaching career has included head coaching stops at Southern Miss (2012), The Citadel (2001-03) and Gardner Webb (1983). Prior to his stop at Southern Miss, Johnson was at South Carolina for four years (2008-11), where he served as the Gamecocks’ defensive coordinator, also while holding the title of assistant head coach.

“I’m very fortunate for the opportunity to coach at Auburn and return to the Southeastern Conference, where there is so much tradition and history,” Johnson said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Gus Malzahn, both as a man and a coach, and I really look forward to working for him.”

Johnson described Auburn as a great community with “a wonderful family environment.”

“This is truly a home run for me,” Johnson said. “I can’t wait to get started and I’m ready to go to work.”

Along with his four years at South Carolina, Johnson has logged stints as the defensive coordinator at Appalachian State (1984), Southern Miss (1988-89), Clemson (1995-96), Alabama (1997-2000) and Mississippi State (2004-07). He has coached in four SEC championship games, been part of one national title and has placed numerous players on NFL rosters.

While defensive coordinator at South Carolina, Johnson also served as linebackers coach. In his final season with the Gamecocks, his defense ranked third nationally, allowing just 268 yards per game.

Under Johnson, South Carolina finished in the top 15 nationally in total defense three times. In addition to the 2011 mark of No. 4 overall, the USC defense ranked No. 13 in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and second in pass defense (133 yards per game).

A native of Winnsboro, S.C., Johnson logged two stints at Alabama. He was the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach from 1997-2000, helping the Crimson Tide go 10-3 in 1999 with an SEC title and a spot in the Orange Bowl. His 1999 defense was No. 2 in the nation against the rush and No. 9 in total defense.

He served as the outside linebackers coach from 1990-93, helping Gene Stallings’ teams go a combined 41-9, including an undefeated national championship year in 1992. Alabama’s defense ranked No. 1 that season against the run and in total defense. The Tide ran off a 31-game winning streak and a 34-game unbeaten streak from 1991-93. The 1991 squad went 11-1. All four of those teams played in bowl games.

A 1975 graduate of The Citadel, Johnson played defensive end for the Bulldogs. He began his career as the defensive ends coach at his alma mater under Bobby Ross in 1975 before working as an assistant coach at Gaffney (S.C.) High School from 1976-78 and as both an assistant and head coach at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School from 1979-81.

<p>AUBURN — New Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has turned to a veteran Southeastern Conference assistant coach to lead the Tigers' defense.</p><p>Malzahn announced the hiring of former Southern Miss coach Ellis Johnson on Thursday, two days after getting the job. Johnson has coached for more than 30 years and has 16 years of experience in the Southeastern Conference.</p><p>“Ellis is one of the top defensive minds in all of college football. He is very experienced and has tremendous success coaching in the Southeastern Conference,” Malzahn said. “He is a man of integrity who will be a great ambassador for Auburn. We're very pleased to have him join our staff and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program.”</p><p>Johnson was fired after Southern Miss went 0-12 in his lone season, but has an impressive track record running SEC defenses. Johnson's coaching career has included head coaching stops at Southern Miss (2012), The Citadel (2001-03) and Gardner Webb (1983). Prior to his stop at Southern Miss, Johnson was at South Carolina for four years (2008-11), where he served as the Gamecocks' defensive coordinator, also while holding the title of assistant head coach.</p><p>“I'm very fortunate for the opportunity to coach at Auburn and return to the Southeastern Conference, where there is so much tradition and history,” Johnson said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Gus Malzahn, both as a man and a coach, and I really look forward to working for him.”</p><p>Johnson described Auburn as a great community with “a wonderful family environment.”</p><p>“This is truly a home run for me,” Johnson said. “I can't wait to get started and I'm ready to go to work.”</p><p>Along with his four years at South Carolina, Johnson has logged stints as the defensive coordinator at Appalachian State (1984), Southern Miss (1988-89), Clemson (1995-96), Alabama (1997-2000) and Mississippi State (2004-07). He has coached in four SEC championship games, been part of one national title and has placed numerous players on NFL rosters.</p><p>While defensive coordinator at South Carolina, Johnson also served as linebackers coach. In his final season with the Gamecocks, his defense ranked third nationally, allowing just 268 yards per game. </p><p>Under Johnson, South Carolina finished in the top 15 nationally in total defense three times. In addition to the 2011 mark of No. 4 overall, the USC defense ranked No. 13 in scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and second in pass defense (133 yards per game).</p><p>A native of Winnsboro, S.C., Johnson logged two stints at Alabama. He was the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach from 1997-2000, helping the Crimson Tide go 10-3 in 1999 with an SEC title and a spot in the Orange Bowl. His 1999 defense was No. 2 in the nation against the rush and No. 9 in total defense.</p><p>He served as the outside linebackers coach from 1990-93, helping Gene Stallings' teams go a combined 41-9, including an undefeated national championship year in 1992. Alabama's defense ranked No. 1 that season against the run and in total defense. The Tide ran off a 31-game winning streak and a 34-game unbeaten streak from 1991-93. The 1991 squad went 11-1. All four of those teams played in bowl games.</p><p>A 1975 graduate of The Citadel, Johnson played defensive end for the Bulldogs. He began his career as the defensive ends coach at his alma mater under Bobby Ross in 1975 before working as an assistant coach at Gaffney (S.C.) High School from 1976-78 and as both an assistant and head coach at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School from 1979-81.</p>